In August 2017, Fidelis Allen, coordinator of the RLC campus Port Harcourt, published a background review on “NGOs, CSOs and academia: capacity gaps and advocacy surrounding expansion of oil palm plantations in Nigeria”. The review gives an insight into the impact of oil palm plantation expansion in the forest landscape of southeast of Nigeria and the role of non-governmental and community-based organizations for the people affected by these expansions. Moreover, Allen addresses academia and capacity gaps in this field to guide future research on the one hand and to ensure collaboration in the utilization of results of research on the other hand. His review is part of a collection of background reports called “Oil palm plantations in forest landscapes: impacts, aspirations and ways forward in Nigeria” written by Godwin Uyi Ojo, Raphael Ayama Offiong, Sylvester Odion Akhaine, Abiodun Baiyewu-Teru and Fidelis Allen under the framework of the Green Livelihoods Alliance.